Psalm 44:17-22 The Providence of God in our Piety

One of the toughest questions that pastors often get asked is “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This question is tough, not because it is hard to answer, but because it displays a fundamental misunderstanding of human nature. A more biblically grounded question would be “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

The Bible teaches us that there are no good people (Genesis 6:5; Psalm 14:3; 53:3; 143:2; Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19; Romans 3:10, 12; Galatians 3:11). All of us have given ourselves over to our sin nature and are “by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind” (Ephesians 2:3).

The real question we should be asking is “why would God possibly reward me with blessings, knowing all the evil that I have done?” When bad things happen, we know that we deserve them because we have sinned against an infinitely holy God—we deserve an infinitely horrible punishment! One pastor put it like this: “As a sinner, the only thing that I deserve is hell.”

But this isn’t the way most people view themselves. Most people think of themselves as “good people,” and wonder how a good God could possibly let them suffer even a minor inconvenience. This is the way the psalmist writes in todays passage.

Please read Psalm 44:17-22.

As I’m sure you’ll remember from the last few days, Israel has suffered a tremendous loss in some recent warfare. Not only have their armies failed, but the nations stand by, mocking their failure. As the psalmist looks around at this tragedy, he asks himself, “how could something this bad happen to us?” He then gives a litany of good things that Israel has done (Notice the first person plural, “us,” “we,” and “our,” throughout this section. the psalmist is not talking about himself, but the nation as a whole). He is seemingly trying to justify his claim that Israel didn’t deserve to be treated so harshly.

As we read through this passage, I am reminded of the rich young ruler who came up to Jesus, asking what he must do to enter into heaven. Jesus told him to keep the law, and even listed out several of the commandments, before the man piously responded “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20). Similarly, the psalmist is defending himself to God, saying “we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way.”

Our response to both of these individuals is, “oh, really?” Does that young man really believe that he has never told a lie, never had a lustful or a hateful thought, and never stolen anything? Does he really believe that he has always perfectly honored his parents and loved his neighbor as himself? If he were to honestly examine his heart, he would find that claim to be false.

Similarly, do the sons of Korah really believe that Israel has perfectly kept their part of the covenant, been loyal to God and followed His law completely? If they were to honestly examine their own hearts, much less simply look around at the state of their nation, then then would find that claim to be false as well.

God wasn't punishing Israel, even though they were incredibly pious. Rather, in spite of their false claims of piety, God was punishing Israel because they were unfaithful to His covenant. Their unfaithfulness did not escape the all-knowing eye of God who “knows the secrets of the heart.”

God knows just how unrighteous we are, and He has the right to punish the wicked. Thank God that He has shown us mercy and grace through Jesus Christ, His Son!